( bird is the word )

June 20, 2011


i do like birds,
and i've always wanted to spend more time on stitching them.
they have such wee funny personalities.

so i finally started working out a few bird patterns.
this is one of the first.
she's rather non-specific in variety, but that doesn't worry her much.





i drew the pattern using charley harper's work for inspiration.
he has such a way with simple lines and expressions.

my biggest struggle was the legs.
i started in wire, but the harsh clean line seemed all wrong to me.
just after getting her perched on wire legs, i figured out what i wanted to use.

twigs! their little knobbles and bumps feel so much more real to me.
a wee operation later and she's perched on more suitable pins.

 i'll be working out a more sparrow-like pattern next...



9 notes:

  1. I love it, it's beautifull, as everything you make.

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  2. i love that you used charley harper's work for inspiration! she is a beautiful bird!

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  3. love this! and love charley harper too. have you seen his park posters? very cool.

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  4. she is just about the loveliest thing ive seen

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  5. thank you all so much! i'm so excited we're all excited about birds.

    @jennifer i wanted to get my husband the isle royale poster but completely forgot about it! his birthday is coming up...

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  6. love the twigs as legs idea - i too have struggled with bird legs and think you have created a great solution. loving your new bird stitching.

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  7. found you via fog and swell, I'm loving your bird. The detail on it is amazing. Can't wait to see the next one.

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  8. love charley harper. my 6 year old son draws all his favourite birds using his style as inspiration. love your bird. you're an inspiration to me. thanks.

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  9. Twigs for legs? TWIGS?! You're a genius. Love.

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